So I recently bought a 2007 ST with 45000 miles on it. The car was previously in a wreck, and it was mostly repaired (body only) when I bought it. I replaced the front sub frame myself, and it bolted up just fine. I had the car aligned, but it still has a strange sensation when driving over road heaves (such as over a bridge).

As the car rises and falls (over the larger bumps), instead of just an up/down motion, it also produces a left/right motion that is very disconcerting. The tires are brand new, the wheels are perfect EAP rims.

Like I said, the 4-wheel alignment was just completed by a Roush-certified dealer here in Oregon. What could cause this left/right motion as the car rises and falls over road heaves?

This is a difficult problem to describe, but I'm out of ideas. It feels like the car is moving directly left, then right, as it goes up and down. This is NOT a leaning feeling, but a DIRECT left/right feeling.

Any ideas?

Thanks everyone!!!

Tim

Indy'sexclusiveZx3

12-08-2012 06:24 AM

Your not the only one my car has done it even since I put my coilovers on, I have checked and replaced every wear part and still has sensation of a side to side feel

HilloNative

12-08-2012 12:14 PM

Maybe is time for a new suspension

Geezer

12-08-2012 01:46 PM

What kind of accident? You mentioned you replaced the sub-frame, was it damaged? Was there uni-body (chassis) damage? Did the car have to go on a body rack for repairs? You didn't mention the condition of the struts and shocks. Are they original? If so how many miles on them? Do you have a printout of the alignment you had done? A Focus is VERY temperamental with regards to alignment. Being within spec is NOT good enough on these cars. Very precise settings are required and very few places will go out of their way to do it right unless you ask them including most dealerships.